Aware already

I attended Overeaters Anonymous back in the 1980's, and learned alot about food addiction. Since then, I've learned more about why I started overeating in my childhood. I'm well aware of my reasons for overeating, and am doing my best to overcome them. My reason for overeating is to ward off feelings of deprivation, which come from my emotionally deprived childhood. I was never raped or molested, like some overeaters are. Still, the feelings trigger hunger pangs which are very strong at times, and I have to do another activity to keep from bingeing. I don't always succeed at avoiding bingeing, but I do binge alot less than I used to. Portion sizes has always been my weakness, because of this eating disorder. I tend to feel more "secure" when I'm full. I appreciate everybody's input. I feel cared for, on this message board. At this point in my life, I don't feel comfortable going for WLS. Thanks, Denise Phares

Denise, I agree that you are very self-aware of what makes you tick. That is an amazing first step and I know that you are on the right path. Crappy childhoods are one of the reasons that we end up like we do. However, I believe there are more physiological reasons for the way we are. I know that my body is addicted to carbs. Did I make it that way?? I don't know, perhaps? It is a fact that I have to deal with. Again, being self-aware is the first huge step. Stay here with us because we all need all the help we can get!!! Donna

I, too, spent some time in OA, and came to understand why and how my addict works. It's scary sometimes to know you are not in control, and to know that "the addict" is. For some of us, it takes a good long time to overcome our addict; and we can never think that we've arrived---that addict is a part of our very fiber. The best we food addicts can hope for, is to learn about our disease, or addict, and how to recognize when we're no longer in control. For most of us, food played a hell of a big role in our lives; it certainly wasn't just for sustinance. I respect your journey. I'm proud of you; you're facing some pretty difficult truths, and you're and you are reclaiming your life. Thank you for sharing, Jessica